Muscular System Flashcards
What is the muscular system
The muscles of our body allow us to move, assist in keeping us alive and help with essential functions within the body.
Skeletal muscle
Attached to the skeleton by tendons
Cardiac muscle
Muscle that is only found in the heart
Smooth muscle
Lines blood vessels and certain organs e.g. intestines or uterus
Slow twitch
fires are able to maintain low to moderate activity for extended periods of time
They contain more red blood cells and appear a dark red color as a result. As they contain more blood, they are able to carry more oxygen around to the working muscles
Fast Twitch
these are lighter in colour as they contain less red blood cells. They are able to produce enough energy for intense bursts of activity however, they are only able to sustain this intensity for short periods of time.
Agonist
this is the muscle is the prime mover- muscle causing the action eg: Bicep curl- bicep
Antagonist
Antagonist: this muscle is the muscle that is relaxing or lengthening
Stabilisers
as the name suggests, these muscles stabilise the body and help maintain posture/form.
Biceps
Flexion and supernation of the forearm.
Triceps
Extension of the elbow joint
Hamstring
Flexion at the knee joint and extension at the hip joint
Quadriceps
Perform a variety of movements
Gastrocnemius
Main plantarflexion of the ankle joint
Tibialis anterior
Dorsi flexion at the ankle joint
Pectoralis
Group of skeletal muscles that connect the upper extremeties
Latissimus dorsi
A broad, flat muscle, that occupies the majority of the lower posterior thorax
Gluteus
Help stabilize the upper body and pelvis, aid in locomotion, and extend the hips.
Deltoid
Abduction of the arms at the shoulder joint
What are the two type of muscle contractions
Isotonic and isometric
Isotonic
these are the most common types of contractions that occur during physical activity
Isometric
these contractions occur when the muscle is creating force however, the length of the muscle doesn’t change (does not shorten or lengthen).
